Theissenia rogersii sp. nov. and phylogenetic position of Theissenia.

Abstract

Theissenia rogersii deviates from known Theissenia species primarily in having large ascospores with a thick wall layer and a unique configuration of two stromatal tissue types, one carbonaceous and the other fibrous. The carbonaceous tissue forms palisades on and beneath the perithecial layer as well as encasing individual perithecia, whereas the fibrous tissue fills the spaces between columns of the palisades as well as between encased perithecia. Phylogenetic analyses based on DNA sequences of beta-tubulin and alpha-actin genes placed Theissenia in the subfamily Hypoxyloideae among the genera that are characterized by having bipartite stromata (i.e. with the stromata differentiated into an outer dehiscing layer and an inner perithecium-bearing layer).